Warwick romance[1]: After many knightly combats and adventures on the continent, and after slaying the dragon in Northumberland, Guy married Felice, the daughter of Earl Rohold. The newly married couple lived in great happiness for two weeks. One evening, after a hunt, Guy mounted a high tower, where he admired the stars of heaven. He thought of the many honors that had been bestowed upon him by Christ, our Saviour, and then it occurred to him that he had never done anything for the Lord in return. On the contrary, he had engaged in wars, wrought much woe, and slain many of his fellow-men. He became deeply repentant and resolved to spend the rest of his life as a pilgrim, and thus make amends for his transgressions. He informed Felice of his resolution. She, in tears, begged him to remain with her, but he was firm. Before his departure, she gave him a ring as a remembrance of her. He crossed the sea and proceeded on his way to Jerusalem.
After many adventures abroad Guy finally returned to England. During his absence the Danes had invaded the country and wrought great destruction. When he arrived at Winchester none that saw him recognized him. Just at the time of his arrival, the English king, Aethelstan, was holding a council with the leading men of the realm. They were considering the demand of the Danish king that the English surrender the kingdom and pay tribute to Denmark or bring some one forth to engage in combat with the giant, Colbrond, the champion of the Danes. If this giant should be vanquished, the invaders would leave the soil of England; but if, on the other hand, he should be victorious, the English would be obliged
- ↑ These fourteenth-century versions were edited from the Auchinleck MS. in the Advocates' Library, Edinburgh, and from MS. 107 in Caius College, Cambridge, by Julius Zupitza, and published for the Early English Text Society, London, 1883, 1887, and 1891. For the beginning of the episode, cf. p. 396.
